Plastic

The present work focuses on the dynamics of the ionic constituents of 1-propyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-bis-(trifluormethylsulfonyl)-imide (PT), a paradigmatic ionic liquid, as an additive in poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). Hence, the resulting product can be regarded as a polymer electrolyte as well as an amorphous dispersion. Leveraging dielectric spectroscopy and oscillatory shear rheology, complemented by differential scanning calorimetry, the spectral shapes and the relaxation maps of the supercooled PVP-PT mixtures are accessed in their full compositional range...

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet radiation causes skin photoaging by producing a variety of enzymes, which impact both skin health and hinder beauty. Currently, the early diagnosis and treatment of photoaging remain a challenge. Bioinformatics analysis has strong advantages in exploring core genes and the biological pathways of photoaging. AIMS: To screen and validate key risk genes associated with plasminogen in photoaging and to identify potential target genes for photoaging...

BACKGROUND: Social media has fostered a landscape where trends, ideals, and beauty standards have significantly proliferated. Images of flawless skin, sculpted features, and curated aesthetics inundate user feeds, potentially shaping their self-perceptions and aspirations. The rise of influencers, dermatologist social media engagement, and beauty campaigns sharing skincare routines and product recommendations wield substantial influence over individual appearance-related decisions. AIMS: The main aim of this study is to determine the pattern of behavior in using social media to seek dermatological procedures and skin care routine...

BACKGROUND: Skin photoaging and uneven pigmentation are common dermatological concerns. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THDA) and acetyl zingerone (AZ) are potent antioxidants that have been shown to have anti-photoaging and anti-pigmentation effects. THDA is a more stable and penetrable form of vitamin C. AZ is an antioxidant derived from ginger which has clinical evidence for improving photoaging. However, no studies have assessed how they may synergistically act on the skin. AIMS: This study aims to assess whether a serum containing both THDA and AZ can improve photoaging and the appearance of uneven facial pigmentation...

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to report a step-by-step process of creating artificial caries typodont teeth and to determine the perception and efficacy of their use in preclinical operative training. METHODS: Artificial caries material comprised of commercially available hide glue and chocolate powder for more realistic coloring was embedded into the distolingual of #9 ModuPRO plastic typodont teeth. First-year dental students having no clinical experience in excavating Class III cavity preparations were divided into two groups...

Auricular reconstruction remains a challenging procedure, requiring a high degree of manual dexterity and attention to detail in order to reconstruct the complex three-dimensional geometry of the ear successfully. Most techniques will rely on autologous cartilage for auricular framework fabrication, carrying a risk of donor and recipient site morbidity. The aim of this report is to investigate the complications and aesthetic outcomes associated with autologous cartilage harvest in auricular reconstruction. A systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses...

OBJECTIVE: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by intense central inflammation, leading to substantial post-hemorrhagic complications such as vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. 2,6,7 Given the anti-inflammatory effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and its ability to promote brain plasticity, taVNS has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for SAH patients. 3,8,9 However, the effects of taVNS on cardiovascular dynamics in critically ill patients like those with SAH have not yet been investigated...

Historically, demand for plastic surgery has been associated with the performance of the US economy. This study evaluates the relationship between economic performance indicators and the popularity and profitability of aesthetic surgery from 2006 to 2022, considering several recessions and the rise of social media. The data were collected from the Aesthetic Society's (AS) Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' (ASPS) Plastic Surgery Statistics Report from 2006 to 2022...

Solid waste management is one of the biggest challenges of the current era. The combustible fractions in the waste stream turn out to be a good energy source if converted into refuse-derived fuel. Researchers worldwide are successfully converting it into fuel. However, certain challenges are associated with its application in gasifiers, boilers, etc. to co-fire it with coal. These include high moisture content, low calorific value, and difficulty to transport and store. The present study proposed torrefaction as a pretreatment of the waste by heating it in the range of 200 °C-300 °C in the absence of oxygen at atmospheric pressure...

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wounds (GSWs) create significant morbidity in the United States. Upper extremity (UE) GSWs are at high risk of combined injuries involving multiple organ systems and may require variable treatment strategies. This study details the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of civilian UE GSWs at an urban level 1 trauma center. METHODS: Using the University of Pennsylvania Trauma Registry, all adult patients with UE GSWs from 2015 to 2020 who were at least 6-months postinjury were studied for demographics, injury pattern, operative details, and postoperative outcomes...

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of breast augmentation as a strategy for achieving idealized feminine proportions, consistent with contemporary beauty standards, has increased notably. This study focuses on the use of nanotextured implants, examining their efficacy in enhancing body symmetry and conforming to current aesthetic ideals. METHODS: Conducted as a prospective cohort study, this research included women who underwent breast augmentation using nanotextured ergonomic implants from 2017 to 2023...

BACKGROUND: Posterolateral rotatory instability is produced by disruption of the lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC); it is commonly induced by trauma, with few cases reported due to lateral epicondylitis. We examined the amount of posterior transition of the radial head with or without LCLC injury, common extensor tendon (CET) injury, and Baker classification in lateral epicondylitis. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with lateral epicondylitis of the humerus who underwent surgery between April 2016 and July 2021...

BACKGROUND: In deep facial surgery, accurate preoperative landmarking of branches of the facial nerve is helpful in avoiding inadvertent facial nerve injury. The objective of our study was to determine the accuracy at which the intersection point of two bisecting lines that join facial surface landmarks can be used to accurately locate the buccal branch(es) of the facial nerve, specifically at the deep plane entry point (ie, intercept landmark). METHODS: Thirty-three cadavers were dissected to determine the position of the buccal rami relative to the intercept...

Autologous breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is an excellent option for many patients proceeding with mastectomy for surgical management of their breast cancer. As microsurgical techniques and results improve and ensure consistent flap survival, optimizing aesthetic outcomes may become a primary focus. This article outlines 20 tips that can improve aesthetic results in DIEP flap breast reconstruction, based on our senior author's 8-year career in microsurgical breast reconstruction, with an emphasis on enhanced cosmesis...

The upper part of the trapezius muscle attaches to the acromion and elevates the shoulder, so a defect in the trapezius muscle greatly impairs shoulder-brachial movement. We encountered a case in which the upper trapezius muscle was completely resected due to myxofibrosarcoma that occurred in the upper part of the left trapezius muscle, and reconstruction was performed using a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap with the accessory nerve transferred, resulting in favorable motor function. A 74-year-old woman developed myxofibrosarcoma in her left neck 1 year and 4 months ago, and underwent two surgical excisions at a nearby hospital...

We report a case of rash in a 35-year-old female presenting with erythematous papules and infiltrative plaques on the nose and upper jaw resembling rosacea. The patient had been experiencing these symptoms for one year. A pathological biopsy revealed an inflammatory infiltrate consisting of dense perivascular lymphocytes surrounding hair follicles and sweat glands in the dermis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a predominance of CD4+ T cells compared to CD8+ T cells. Based on the clinical manifestations, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, the patient was diagnosed with Jessner's Lymphocytic infiltration of the skin (JLIS)...

This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)-a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies and grey literature, we identified available evidence of impacts across 14 threats for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based on their pathways of effects on individuals, revealing many gaps in scientific understanding of the risks faced by beaked whales...

Behavioral studies contribute largely to a broader understanding of human brain mechanisms and the process of learning and memory. An established method to quantify motor learning is the analysis of thumb activity. In combination with brain stimulation, the effect of various treatments on neural plasticity and motor learning can be assessed. So far, the setups for thumb abduction measurements employed consist of bulky amplifiers and digital-to-analog devices to record the data. We developed a compact hardware setup to measure acceleration data which can be integrated into a wearable, including a sensor board and a microcontroller board which can be connected to a PC via USB...

From fly to man, the Wingless (Wg)/Wnt signaling molecule is essential for both the stability and plasticity of the nervous system. The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has proven to be a useful system for deciphering the role of Wg in directing activity-dependent synaptic plasticity (ADSP), which, in the motoneuron, has been shown to be dependent on both the canonical and the noncanonical calcium Wg pathways. Here we show that the noncanonical planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway is an essential component of the Wg signaling system controlling plasticity at the motoneuron synapse...

Due to substantial topographic variations in the Himalaya, incident solar radiation in the forest canopy is highly unequal. This results in significant environmental differences at finer scales and may lead to considerable differences in photosynthetic productivity in montane forests. Therefore, local-scale ecophysiological investigations, may be more effective and instructive than landscape-level inventories and models. We investigated leaf ecophysiological differences and related adaptations between two Quercus semecarpifolia forests in aspect-mediated, significantly varying light regimes in the same mountain catchment...